salaries of researchers in Canada

Salaries for doctoral students in Canada

Doctoral students at Canadian universities can earn variable salaries, depending on discipline, funding (fellowships, assistantships) and region. Doctoral students in the exact sciences and medicine often earn more than their counterparts in the humanities and social sciences. Annual income for doctoral students is generally between CAD 20,000 and CAD 35,000, although some disciplines and universities may offer higher amounts depending on research grants or contracts.

Postdoctoral salaries in Canada

Postdoctoral fellows in Canada earn an average of around CAD 50,000 per year, although this can vary from CAD 40,000 to CAD 60,000 depending on the institution and field of study. MITACS-funded positions, for example, offer around CAD 52,500 per year. For advanced or highly specialized academic positions, salaries can reach up to CAD 90,000 depending on experience and province, with hourly rates ranging from CAD 27 to CAD 60 depending on specialization and regional cost of living.

Difference with Master’s degree holders

Master’s degree holders in positions outside universities can often achieve a higher salary, ranging on average from CAD 55,000 to CAD 70,000 one year after graduation, which can be significantly higher than the salary of a PhD or post-doc, although this depends on the sector.

This information is based on salary data collected by recruitment platforms and government surveys, such as the Canada Job Bank and government reports on academic careers in Canada. For more details, consult Job Bank Canada and Talent.com for specific reports on academic and post-doctoral salaries.

Links

• Further information on academic positions can be found on the Doctorate in Canada (link), Postdoc in Canada and Professorship (link2) in Canada(link3) pages.